Category Archives: Visa Info

Information about all types of US Visas and the best ways to obtain one

E3 Visa FAQs & Myths

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We have done so many posts on the E3 visa you may wonder what else there is to cover.

As a quick update we have;
– E3 Visa General Information
– E3 Visa US Consulate Interview
– Transfer to an E3 Visa from another US Visa
– E3D Visa – spouse and dependent visa for the E3 Visa
– Step by Step Guide to your E3 Visa
– Social Security & Healthcare while on the E3 Visa
– Getting a job on the E3 Visa
– Explaining the E3 Visa to an employer
– Going to a Green Card from the E3 Visa
– How much does the E3 Visa application cost?
– Extending, Renewing or Changing Employers on the E3 Visa
– E3 Visa Renewal without US Consulate Interview
– How Does the E3 Visa Differ from the H1B visa
– E3 Visa Job Information
– E3 Visa Employer Database (exclusive)
– E3 Visa Bachelors Degree and Specialty Occupation conditions explained
– E3 Visa Bachelors Degree Proof If You Have No Degree
– E3 Visa Demonstrate Residence Abroad condition explained
– E3 Visa concepts explained in easy to understand language
– Do I need a lawyer for the E3 Visa process?
– Laid off on the E3 Visa

So as you can see we have a very comprehensive list of resources for you to access and read up upon at your leisure to become fully versed in everything that the E3 visa has to offer as well as its limitations. Additionally in many of our other posts there is further information that is relevant to E3 visa holders as well so the resources we have for you become endless 🙂

However we thought we would provide something new and extra here as we like to do as we did the E3 visa only employer database above. There are so few resources specific to the E3 visa that we like to help bring some attention to it, to help you all out.

Based on the feedback and comments we get everyday and to us have been surprisingly overwhelming from individuals, employers, agencies and the corporate sector, we think there is a couple of additional tips we can provide for you to help clarify some myths and help you on your way.

1. If you are in a sector like Trade or Construction or something in the Arts or Sport, the E3 visa is probably not suitable for you in most instances. The H2B visa while not perfect is more suitable with trade type roles, although there are many limitations. The O visa category is better when you are talking about area like the Arts or Sport.

2. The E3 visa interview is a very straightforward process if you plan ahead and have all your documentation ahead of time. Ensure you have paid your application fee prior to going (done at Australia Post if applying in Australia), have a US size passport photo (larger than what you normally have in Australia), have an express pre-paid return envelope for them to send your passport back and my extra tip book your interview for earlier in the day as that tends to mean a much shorter time spent at the US consulate. It can be multiple hours in there waiting. Also note you can’t take mobile phones in the interview area so have to leave them with security or iPods, so take a book as your only form of entertainment while waiting.

3. You can certainly apply for E3 Visa at US consulates around the world but NOT within the US unless you are transferring from another set selction of US visa types (does not include tourist visa waiver program). The processes are slightly different depending on the US consulate you apply at in different countries, however the best thing is to know the process and payment procedures thoroughly prior to attending your interview.

Good Luck,
CJ

Green Card Lottery Results Update

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It is probably the hottest topic for foreigners in the world of US Immigration at the moment. Then judging by the most viewable pages here and the endless stream of comments and questions, the Green Card Lottery (aka Diversity Visa Lottery).

You can read that post to learn more about the Green Card lottery but as a quick summation, the Diversity Visa Lottery is an annual lottery run by US Government State Department allotting about 55,000 Permanent Residency visas to lucky winners around the world. Considering the process in obtaining a green card, and the scarcity, difficulty and associated cost, if you are lucky enough to win one from this lottery, you are certainly in a great position to begin your life fully in the US.

For those that entered between October and December 2008, the last time the Green Card lottery was run, we did a recent update for you called DV2010 results and information as the US State Department was announcing the winners of that lottery from May 2009.

This year was also the first year results were announced online and also that losing entrants could confirm that indeed they had not been successful in the DV-2010 lottery.

Now many people have been worried about their interview times, etc. and their first and second confirmation letters not arriving. My advice is to;

1. Firstly check the US State Department Official Diversity Visa Lottery Results page to confirm whether you have won this year or not.
2. Then ensure that your initial and second confirmation letters are legitimate as they should contain further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the U.S and information about your US consular interview.
3. At your US consulate interview your information and identity will be confirmed and upon acceptance you will be granted an entry visa to the US (you should enter the US before the expiry date of this visa)
4. After entering the US, your actual green card will be mailed to your nominated US address in a few weeks time. You can leave the US after this initial entry but you should have this actual green card in hand upon your return to the US.

You should note that you will never be notified by email of winning the lottery and a Diversity processing fee is only charged when a winning lottery entrant applies for the Diversity visa. At the time of the visa application at a U.S. consular office, each applicant (the DV entrant and any accompanying family members) will be charged a DV processing fee and immigrant visa fee. Both of these fees are non-refundable if the visa is refused. If the visa is issued, a separate visa issuance fee is then charged for each visa. Do NOT pay any other type of fees to 3rd party organizations as there are many SCAMS associated with the Green Card Lottery.

In case you were wondering DV-2011 (the Green Card Lottery run in 2009) should be open for application sometime in early October but of course check the US State Department sites for upcoming notifications.

Good Luck,
CJ